Children hold portraits of Russia's President Vladimir Putin as they take part in a rally to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, on February 23, 2016. The Defender of the Fatherland Day, celebrated in Russia on February 23, honours the nation's army and is a nationwide holiday. / AFP / Max Vetrov (Photo credit should read MAX VETROV/AFP/Getty Images)
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Crimea marks 3rd year since Russian annexation
03:10 - Source: CNN

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Tillerson said the US will not tolerate Russian aggression in Crimea

Tillerson also accused the Russian military of actively fighting in eastern Ukraine

Washington CNN  — 

The United States will maintain sanctions against Russia until it returns full control of Crimea to Ukraine, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Thursday.

Speaking in front of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting of foreign ministers in Vienna, Tillerson said the US will not tolerate Russian aggression in Crimea.

“We will never accept Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea,” Tillerson told the audience at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe event.

“Crimea-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns full control of the peninsula to Ukraine,” Tillerson added.

Tillerson also accused the Russian military of actively fighting in eastern Ukraine, saying they are “arming, leading, training and fighting alongside anti-government forces.”

Economic sanctions were placed on Russia by then-US President Barack Obama in 2014 following the country’s military action in Crimea and Ukraine.

CNN’s Ryan Browne contributed to this report.